Thursday, February 29, 2024

Production: Day 1 - Filming Behind the Scenes

 Introduction

Welcome everyone! Today I will be talking about how filming behind the scenes went! So, Day 1 of filming was just chaos. It was disorganized and troublesome, since we changed up most of our storyline halfway through the filming process. So all the scenes we recorded for Day 1 were sadly trashed, never to be seen by anyone again :(. It was a pain, because we actually took very long to film those scenes, but we moved on from it and started anew. We, of course, kept the same characters and theme. But the ending and opening scenes were changed. We felt like it would be too long to include in our film, so we never added it in. So on Day 1, we didn't really make much progress which sucked so much D:. But do not fret, on Day 2, we bounced back!

Never Seen Behind the Scenes Footage






Reflection

In conclusion, Day 1 was a very difficult day for us. We had made so little progress and it took up a large quantity of time to film that day, and those scenes were never used. It really messed up our group's motivation, and it really did screw up my mentality for a while. I was not confident that we were going to finish filming in time, so I was really anxious about this whole process. Thanks for hearing me share my thoughts on Day 1! My next day will be talking about the bloopers. 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Production: Cast and Crew

 Introduction

Hi all!! Today I will be introducing my amazing cast and crew!! My crew mates and the cast are so amazing, they were a big help in the production of our film! So, with no further explanation needed, let's jump right in!

Khloe R.

Khloe R was our director, and our film writer! She also played Christine in our amazing film opening! She did a great job with everything, I am so proud of her. In depth, Khloe was responsible for developing the script, managing the time increments of when each shot is captured, decisions in location, improv on set, and collaboration with actors. She was also responsible for adapting the story or developing by the production team into a plot, to then be translated into a script by the screenwriter(s) in the future, determining the storyline or backstories, traits, and characteristics of the characters, the order of the plot in the film, and planning of each shot.

Lexi M.

Lexi M was our production designer and the wardrobe/makeup artist! Additionally, she played Mercedes in our film opening! Her creative and amazing ideas helped us out so much, and I am so happy that she is part of our group! In depth, she was responsible for all creative aspects of design that goes into the entire film such as the aesthetics of the visuals, the color palette and how it creates mood/ tone, an develops genre in film, using props and objects of significance to highlight key moments of importance, location aesthetics, graphic design (the shapes, structure, and dynamics of each shot), the pacing of each shot, and corresponding the structural elements of film with the characters and their hair/ makeup. Lexi was also responsible for aesthetics of actors/actresses, costume design, or purchasing costumes, makeup application on set, hairstyles included for each character, and color schemes.

Marley B.

Marley B was our production manager, casting director, and camera operator. In addition, she also played Lizzy in the film opening! She did an incredible job helping us with scenes. She was the one who did the most improv, and she did it so well & natural. She is so awesome. To go in depth, Marley was responsible for budgeting, production process and time management, purchasing materials, navigates technical aspects of filming (if technology is involved), and communication amongst members. She was also responsible foroverseeing director and film writer to ensure proper representation, professional search and casting or actors and actresses, and studying the script to use as reference for casting each actor/actress in their character roles. Her last responsibility was operating the technical positioning of the camera, planning/scene rehearsals, following the storyboard/ planning sheet as reference for each shot, ensuring each shot is taken and captured as planned, assembling equipment, adjusting the camera and framing for shots, and camera manipulation.

Peyton P.

I was our cinematographer and the chief editor! I did not play anyone in the film, but I stayed behind the scenes to make sure everything was in order. I think I did a great job to be honest, and I really enjoyed my roles (although it was stressful at times)... I'm so glad I was able to be the editor! I was responsible forcreative production of the film’s visuals, atmosphere, Mise-en-Scene described in the storyboards created, the artistic elements in recording each shot, the imagery, focus, and emphasis of certain elements in each shot, positioning of the camera to display different angles, shot sizes, framing, lighting, and capturing each shot to complement the story. I was also responsible for transitions, editing styles (graphic, spatial, temporal, etc.), visual editing (if necessary), using raw footage to create a sequence of cohesive shots, crafting each scene into a full product, editing artificial sound, music, sound effects, and/or internal monologue (Automated Dialogue Replacement), special effects or texts on-screen, and incorporating all of the cast/ crew members.

Reflection

All in all, my teammates and I did INCREDIBLE in their crew roles and our cast roles. We made sure to utilize communication at all times in case any part of production got messy or uncoordinated. It was a smooth process overall, and I'm so glad I am on a team with my incredible teammates! They all did above and beyond and I am so proud of them! Thanks for reading all of this, I will see you in the next blog post. P is signing off..

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Production: Location, Location, and Location

Introduction

Greetings to my amazing audience! Welcome to today's blog! Today, we will be discussing the many locations that my team chose to film this film at. So, before choosing the final locations for our filming, we made sure to talk it out and discuss the best locations to film at. We considered the convenience of filming at certain places, and we also considered if the setting would fit our scenes at all. We came up with some locations that were easy to film at, and that fit our film opening's tones. Here are some of the places we filmed at!

Locations
(Bathroom)
(Hallways)

(Media Studies Closet)

(Khloe R's bedroom)

Reflection

Our team made sure to choose the locations that fit the feeling/tone of the scenes, and the locations that would ensure we got the highest quality of footage without any disruptions. In my opinion, the hallway was one of our best locations to film at because of the quiet. There was barely anyone in the halls, so we used that to our advantage during filming. Also, the hallways have a composition of leading lines, which are perfectly symmetrical, so it really helps us fit the calm tone of the scene. Thanks for reading my blog! P is taking her leave..

Monday, February 26, 2024

Pre-Production: Script

Introduction

Hi all! Welcome back to my blog! Today I will be showing you guys the script for our film opening! In our film, the actors mostly improvised their lines, but they used the script just in case they forgot any important information. In my opinion, it was better improvised because it felt more natural to me. Now, I will show you the script!

Script

SCENE 1 

<DEFOCUS ABERRATION> OR DEFOCUSES THE CAMERA UNTIL IT FOCUSES ON THE SETTING< 

 

REMEMBER, WHENEVER CHRISTINE IS ON SCREEN, THE LENS OF THE CAMERA GETS SLIGHTLY BLURRY OR DISTORTED! 

EXPOSITION: START OF A NEW FRIENDSHIP (20 SECONDS, 5-7 LINES OF DIALOGUE) 

The scene begins with Christine waking up, hugging a plushie with an image of Mercedes on it, and looking around her bedroom walls plastered with images of Mercedes, with a growing smile on her face. She then played around with the plushie, with an infatuated, dazed facial expression. Credits MUST play over the beginning sequence, just as a real movie would. 

<High angle shows Christine sleeping, and opening theme (“Tonight, You Belong to Me” by Pride and Prudence) starts playing> 

 

*Camera glitches to the title slide before then cutting to a classroom, where Mercedes and Lizzy were in* 

 

 

 

 

RISING ACTION: “IS THAT MY BRACELET? 

 

In this scene, Mercedes vents her doubts, worries, and frustrations about Christine, and expresses her unease around her. Lizzy affirms her feelings and shows sympathy for her, while reassuring that Christine is crazy. 

<zoom out from Mercedes drinking from her water bottle> 

MERCEDES: 

Do you know Christine?  

  LIZZY: 

Oh, you mean crazy Christine? 

MERCEDES: 

Did you know she has my bracelet that you gave me years ago?! 

 LIZZY: 

THE ONE THAT I GAVE YOU? Like, the one I spent my money on? Like, the hard-earned piggybank money bought bracelet that I gave you? 

 (Mercedes sighs in anxiety before responding) 

MERCEDES: 

(nods) Yea! I don't know how she got it! 

(shrugs) 

 LIZZY: 

I’m telling you, watch out! She’s crazy, she’s really crazy! 

 

 

(ends scene by blurring the shot, and layered it over the succeeding one) 

CLIMAX: NO LOOKING BACK! 

 

As Mercedes casually walked throughout the halls to go to the bathroom, she looks over and notices Christine obsessively gazing at her and checking her out. She then nervously smiles, and then speeds up walking towards the bathroom. 

MERCEDES: 

(nervously smiles and chuckles) Hah.... ok! 

 

*The camera fades, and transitions to a series of establishing shots and point of view shots of Christine, her dark classroom, and shows her seated in solitude surrounded by her art supplies* 

 

  

 

FALLING ACTION (NO RESOLUTION BECAUSE OF CLIFF HANGER ENDING) 

 

In this final scene, Christine hums in a dark classroom while drawing a beautiful picture of Christine, while also projecting images and videos of Christine on her laptops. After constant thudding from Lizzy in the closet, Christine grows furious, and slams down her sketchbook hastily, and grabs a pair of bloody scissors, while approaching the closet door. 

LIZZY: 

(Medium close shot of Lizzy’s confused, disturbed reaction, as she is frozen in shock) 

I KNOW this girl did not lock me in this closet! HELLO!? 

 

<Christine angrily pulls open the closet door, and intimidatingly stomps towards Lizzy, holding up the pair of scissors in her hand menacingly> 

LIZZY: 

UGH, this is not fair! 

CHRISTINE: 

You want to know what is not fair? Having the perfect life, the perfect girlfriend, and STILL BEING LIKE THIS! (smirks and scoffs enviously) 

LIZZY: 

(Lizzy shakes her head in disbelief) 

Wow! You’re crazy! 

(Mercedes walks into the classroom, and notices what is going on, and out of curiosity she investigates why Christine was holding bloody scissors, and to her horror, she discovers what has been done to her friend, Lizzy) 

MERCEDES: 

WHAT’S GOING ON?! 

 

*Christine and Lizzy would indistinctively bicker in the bathroom, and Christine tells her that she should be more grateful, but then freezes and turns around from hearing Mercedes’s voice  

LIZZY: 

Help! 

 *Christine is paralyzed in shock, instantly drops her scissors, and slowly backs away because she was caught and feels guilty* 

BLURS, TILTS DOWNWARD TO SHOW THE SCISSORS ON THE FLOOR, THEN FADES OUT TO A BLACK SCREEN: 

THE END 

Reflection

My dearest teammate Khloe R was the script maker, and she did an excellent job! She created a script that was comfortable and natural for everyone to act with! The script was one of our most important parts of the film because without it, we would not be able to make this opening. It was a very long process, but worth it in the end! (We did end up tweaking some things and removing scenes after this script thought..) Thank you for reading! P is signing off now!

Goodbye My Media Studies Blog :(

Hi everyone! As you can see from the title, this will be my last media studies blog post. It's so saddening yet it gives me completion t...